There's A Love Feast On Lake Erie

On the same visit, as Kosar was rhapsodizing about the lake view and city lights, Cousineau said, slyly, "How are you at throwing off your back?" That's not entirely a flip question. The Browns' offensive line gave up 55 sacks, a Cleveland record, in '84—including 11 in one inglorious afternoon against the Chiefs. Since then, the team's best pass blocker, left tackle Doug Dieken, has retired. Obviously, the offensive line is a huge question. There were also so many dropped passes that the Browns refuse to say how many; they just grimace. "The solution," says Schottenheimer, "is either catch the ball or get new players."

Meanwhile, Kosar is concentrating on Kosar: "Each day you get better or worse. You never stay the same, and I have no intention of getting worse. A quarterback has to always try to be perfect. If he doesn't do that, he's selling his team short. I'll never sell the Browns short." Spoken like a man in love to a city that can hardly wait to be seduced.